Bus blast kills at least 15 in Pakistan

At least 15 people have been killed and dozens wounded after a bus carrying government officials exploded in Pakistan.

The explosion took place in the volatile Northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar, near a main commercial market.

The bus was ferrying dozens of government employees from districts and was transporting them to work in the city.

Initially, I can say, unofficially, that around 30 people are injured, but that number can be higher or lower...unofficially, I can say that around 15-16 persons were killed on the spot.

According to police, the blast was caused by an improvised device planted in the vehicle.

Rescue teams arrived at the site soon after the explosion.

Director of Operations for Rescue 1122, Dr. Mohammad Ayaz said, “As soon as we heard the sound (of the blast), our personnel rushed out and came here in a vehicle. Initially, I can say, unofficially, that around 30 people are injured, but that number can be higher or lower…unofficially, I can say that around 15-16 persons were killed on the spot.”

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast but Peshawar has often been targeted by the Pakistani Taliban who have plagued the country with terror attacks for the last decade.

The country’s Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attack in a statement.

He said that cowardly acts will not deter the governments agenda to stem out terror cells in the country.